,BIOD 210 Final Exam | Q&A | 2026/2027 | Genetics | Portage
Learning
1. How does preformation differ from epigenesis?
A) Preformation states that traits are acquired during life; epigenesis states
traits are inherited
B) Preformation states a fertilized egg contains a miniature adult
(homunculus); epigenesis states development occurs through a series of
events
C) Preformation is the modern theory of genetics; epigenesis is the outdated
theory
D) Preformation applies only to plants; epigenesis applies only to animals
Correct Answer: Preformation states a fertilized egg contains a miniature
adult (homunculus); epigenesis states development occurs through a series
of events
Rationale: Preformation postulated that a fertilized egg contained a
miniaturized version of a tiny human, called a homunculus. Epigenesis
directly contradicted that theory by stating that a fertilized egg undergoes a
series of developmental events that eventually form a human.
2. Which scientist(s) introduced cell theory?
A) Charles Darwin and Gregor Mendel
B) James Watson and Francis Crick
C) Matthias Schleiden and Theodor Schwann
D) Avery, MacLeod, and McCarty
Correct Answer: Matthias Schleiden and Theodor Schwann
,Rationale: Matthias Schleiden and Theodor Schwann introduced cell theory,
proposing that all living organisms were composed of organized structures
called cells and that these cells were derived from identical precursor cells.
3. What book did Charles Darwin publish that postulated his theory of natural
selection?
A) The Descent of Man
B) The Origin of Species
C) The Expression of the Emotions
D) The Variation of Animals and Plants
Correct Answer: The Origin of Species
Rationale: Charles Darwin published *The Origin of Species*, which
postulated his theory of natural selection. This work laid the foundation for
evolutionary biology.
4. Gregor Mendel used which organism to model how traits are inherited
from generation to generation?
A) Fruit flies
B) Mice
C) Pea plants
D) Bacteria
Correct Answer: Pea plants
Rationale: Gregor Mendel, an Augustinian monk, used pea plants to model
how traits are inherited from generation to generation. His experiments
explained the basic foundations of trait transmission in modern genetics.
, 5. The chromosomal theory of inheritance states that:
A) Heredity and development depend on the passing of genetic information
via genes contained within chromosomes
B) Chromosomes are only found in reproductive cells
C) Inheritance occurs through environmental factors
D) Chromosomes are made of proteins
Correct Answer: Heredity and development depend on the passing of genetic
information via genes contained within chromosomes
Rationale: The chromosomal theory of inheritance (1910s) showed that both
heredity and development depended on the passing of genetic information
via genes that were contained within chromosomes.
6. Avery, MacLeod, and McCarty showed that:
A) Proteins were responsible for carrying genetic material in bacteria
B) RNA was responsible for carrying genetic material in bacteria
C) DNA was responsible for carrying genetic material in bacteria
D) Lipids were responsible for carrying genetic material in bacteria
Correct Answer: DNA was responsible for carrying genetic material in
bacteria
Rationale: Avery, MacLeod, and McCarty showed that DNA was responsible
for carrying genetic material in bacteria, establishing DNA as the molecule of
heredity.
7. For what did James Watson and Francis Crick win the Nobel Prize?
Learning
1. How does preformation differ from epigenesis?
A) Preformation states that traits are acquired during life; epigenesis states
traits are inherited
B) Preformation states a fertilized egg contains a miniature adult
(homunculus); epigenesis states development occurs through a series of
events
C) Preformation is the modern theory of genetics; epigenesis is the outdated
theory
D) Preformation applies only to plants; epigenesis applies only to animals
Correct Answer: Preformation states a fertilized egg contains a miniature
adult (homunculus); epigenesis states development occurs through a series
of events
Rationale: Preformation postulated that a fertilized egg contained a
miniaturized version of a tiny human, called a homunculus. Epigenesis
directly contradicted that theory by stating that a fertilized egg undergoes a
series of developmental events that eventually form a human.
2. Which scientist(s) introduced cell theory?
A) Charles Darwin and Gregor Mendel
B) James Watson and Francis Crick
C) Matthias Schleiden and Theodor Schwann
D) Avery, MacLeod, and McCarty
Correct Answer: Matthias Schleiden and Theodor Schwann
,Rationale: Matthias Schleiden and Theodor Schwann introduced cell theory,
proposing that all living organisms were composed of organized structures
called cells and that these cells were derived from identical precursor cells.
3. What book did Charles Darwin publish that postulated his theory of natural
selection?
A) The Descent of Man
B) The Origin of Species
C) The Expression of the Emotions
D) The Variation of Animals and Plants
Correct Answer: The Origin of Species
Rationale: Charles Darwin published *The Origin of Species*, which
postulated his theory of natural selection. This work laid the foundation for
evolutionary biology.
4. Gregor Mendel used which organism to model how traits are inherited
from generation to generation?
A) Fruit flies
B) Mice
C) Pea plants
D) Bacteria
Correct Answer: Pea plants
Rationale: Gregor Mendel, an Augustinian monk, used pea plants to model
how traits are inherited from generation to generation. His experiments
explained the basic foundations of trait transmission in modern genetics.
, 5. The chromosomal theory of inheritance states that:
A) Heredity and development depend on the passing of genetic information
via genes contained within chromosomes
B) Chromosomes are only found in reproductive cells
C) Inheritance occurs through environmental factors
D) Chromosomes are made of proteins
Correct Answer: Heredity and development depend on the passing of genetic
information via genes contained within chromosomes
Rationale: The chromosomal theory of inheritance (1910s) showed that both
heredity and development depended on the passing of genetic information
via genes that were contained within chromosomes.
6. Avery, MacLeod, and McCarty showed that:
A) Proteins were responsible for carrying genetic material in bacteria
B) RNA was responsible for carrying genetic material in bacteria
C) DNA was responsible for carrying genetic material in bacteria
D) Lipids were responsible for carrying genetic material in bacteria
Correct Answer: DNA was responsible for carrying genetic material in
bacteria
Rationale: Avery, MacLeod, and McCarty showed that DNA was responsible
for carrying genetic material in bacteria, establishing DNA as the molecule of
heredity.
7. For what did James Watson and Francis Crick win the Nobel Prize?
